The Arizona House Judiciary Committee voted Wednesday to make it a felony to tamper with food products and post a video online.

This comes after a video went viral last year, showing a Texas shopper licking a carton of ice cream and putting it back on a store shelf.

The legislation is backed by Shane Hitzeman, a fast food franchisee who represents more than a hundred similar operators in the Southwest. He said he’s seen it happen in the fast food industry as well. 

"Essentially we are defenseless against this type of vile and dangerous behavior," Hitzeman said. "We believe that there should be criminal penalties for contaminating drink and food. This would protect the public health and protect the reputation of businesses entrusted to serve the community."

The bill will now be debated in the full House.